Security Guard salary in Reading, PA
Security Guards in the Reading, PA metro area earn a median of $38,960 a year ($18.73 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,050 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,300 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $38,020. Pay here is 5% higher than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $37,050. There are 6.0 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.73). The average (mean) salary is $39,680, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in Reading, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,990 | $14.42 |
| 25th percentile | $34,570 | $16.62 |
| Median | $38,960 | $18.73 |
| 75th percentile | $43,920 | $21.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,300 | $24.18 |
| Average (mean) | $39,680 | $19.08 |
Half of security guards earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,246.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,623.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,498.46 |
| Weekly | $749.23 |
| Hourly | $18.73 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Security Guard salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chambersburg, PA | $42,130 | 210 |
| Gettysburg, PA | $39,500 | 130 |
| Lancaster, PA | $38,090 | 880 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $37,880 | 2,320 |
| Lebanon, PA | $37,470 | 130 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $37,450 | 25,460 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $36,020 | 2,570 |
| Altoona, PA | $35,900 | 230 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $35,850 | 9,250 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $35,660 | 830 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $35,160 | 2,070 |
| Erie, PA | $34,530 | 840 |
| Williamsport, PA | $34,440 | 510 |
| State College, PA | $34,290 | 280 |
| Johnstown, PA | $31,320 | 260 |
Highest-paying states for security guards
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $64,210 |
| Alaska | $47,480 |
| Washington | $47,100 |
| Vermont | $45,550 |
| Oregon | $45,500 |
| New Hampshire | $45,200 |
| Colorado | $45,150 |
| Massachusetts | $44,670 |
| New York | $44,240 |
| Virginia | $43,640 |
See Security Guard pay in every state or the Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Reading, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $27,920 | $13.42 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $35,830 | $17.23 |
| School Bus Monitor | $36,140 | $17.37 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $27,050 | $13.00 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $50,200 | $24.13 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $87,060 | $41.85 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $69,400 | $33.36 |
| Firefighter | $74,760 | $35.94 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $106,980 | $51.43 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $95,190 | $45.76 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $53,650 | $25.79 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $43,410 | $20.87 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Reading, PA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-9032. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard make in Reading, PA?
The median salary for security guards in the Reading, PA metro area is $38,960 a year, or $18.73 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,300 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in Reading, PA?
The top 10% of security guards in the Reading, PA metro area earn at least $50,300 a year. The top 25% earn $43,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in Reading, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,990 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $34,570 or less.
How many security guards work in Reading, PA?
About 1,050 security guards are employed in the Reading, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.